Adventure Spots In and Around Coimbatore

Here are a few places in and around Coimbatore, where adventure junkies can let their spirits go wild.

Mention the word adventure sports and every adventure junkie in the city would instantly gear up for some adrenaline rush. Adventure sports have many takers in the city as more and more people are partaking in these activities, either to enjoy the pristine beauty of the nature or just to be off the beaten track. Here are a few places in and around Coimbatore, where adventure junkies can let their spirits go wild.

Activity: Canoeing and Kayaking (Place: Sulur Lake) - "One of the most sought-after locations in Coimbatore, this lake has served as a hot bed for water sports. On any given day one can witness a hustle bustle of activities that includes kayaking, canoeing, sailing and wind surfing," says Mohammad Ashfaq, an adventure junkie in the city. The Sulur Panchayat and adventure foundations conduct activities at regular intervals to make the best use of the potential of the lake. The place is ideal for sailing in the morning and evening hours and one can bask in the scenic beauty as they can spot migratory birds including pelican, wood sandpiper and Asian paradise flycatcher.

Activity: Paragliding (Place: Nilgiris) - The Nilgiris or the Blue Mountains that stretch across the borders of Kerala and Karnataka is one of the preferred locations for trekking, thanks to easy slopes that suit first-timers. But the place has also been billed as an ideal spot for paragliding as well, according to Group Captain Jayashankar (Retd), member of an adventure foundation. "We are reviving new trek routes in the area and are looking at paragliding as a new adventure sports option there. There are already 8 to 10 pilots in paragliding in the city. Mettupalayam and Nilgiris have immense potential for aero sports," he says.

Activity: Rock Climbing (Place: Thirumoorthy Hills and Dam) - A one-and-a-half hour drive from Coimbatore, this place has amazing scenic features and serves as an idyllic setting for rock climbing. "A little ahead of Udumalpet, Thirumurthy Hills and Dam is a complete site as its ideal for all adventure sports activities. The water body has features for rock climbing and water sports, thanks to the Panchayat Boat house. We are planning to do a boot camp there soon," says Jayashankar.

Activity: Trekking (Place: Parambikulam) - This place is just a little more than an hour's drive from Coimbatore. Parambikulam is a nature lover's delight. It's a well-protected area laced with lush greenery and biological richness. One can do animal sighting here in the rich wilderness. "The Tamil Nadu side of Parambikulam is ideal for water sports and trekking. One can spot diverse varieties of wildlife and some insects that are rare to spot in other parts of the country," says Shyamala Jayashankar, director of an adventure foundation.